The Benefit of Embracing Flow in Life and Work

1st August 2017

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Embracing flow in life and work

Throughout my life, I’ve set goals and hatched plans to achieve them yet at the same time I’ve remained open, enjoying the flow and movement of life and the opportunities that it brings. Living and working in this way has shielded me from setting my sights too high or too low. And I’m a firm believer in doing what you can to exceed personal expectations and avoid disappointment!

This month marks two years since I left my job as an educational fundraiser to work freelance. At the time, I had plans of where I saw myself, how I would build a freelance business and what my days would look and feel like. But I was also open to possibilities, showing up to my work with an open heart and mind.

‘Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them – that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.’ Lao Tzu

Today things look very different to how they did two years ago and although a lot has changed it also feels like I’ve come full circle. During my 20-year career I mentored, coached, trained and developed staff in the arts, retail and education sectors and now I’m coaching again. Without wishing to sound too cheesy, it’s like I’ve found the missing piece of the puzzle and it was in my pocket all along!

An open heart

I guess the moral of my story is to make plans, set goals, pave the way towards your dreams and aspirations, but at the same time have one hand open to catch the opportunities that surface along the way.

It’s like approaching life with a rough sketch and filling in the colours as you progress, that way you’ll probably end up with something more beautiful than you’d ever imagined. With an open heart, you’re better placed to find what you’re destined to do. And when you’re not overly focused on the goal it’s easier to spot the opportunities.

Invest in yourself

In addition to coaching, I’m also making space for some personal development. As Candy Pop approaches the 10-year mark, I thought it was a good time to take a step back to invest a little time in myself. To do this I’m currently enrolled on a six-month coaching and mentoring course and I’m enjoying the balance of learning while supporting others on their journeys.

As I embrace this slightly different season of my life and work, I’ll be reducing my blog posts to one or two a month, but as always, you’ll find me posting on social media.

And finally, if you’re wishing to uncover your path and create some space for personal reflection, I’ll be offering some new coaching sessions later in the year. Please join my mailing list or contact me by email if you’d like to learn more. I look forward to hearing from you and possibly working together in the future!

I thought I’d see if this is a common approach to life and I found this great post by Corbett Barr. Thank you, as always, for stopping by, I hope you have a beautiful day.

Natasha you are an inspirational woman, you will be amazing at coaching. I have watched your journey from way back when … it might sound like a cliche but you have emerged from your chrysalis as a beautiful butterfly…I wish you joy, luck and contentment for the future.
Love
Ashley

I used to manage the coaching program in my old job and it was something I always enjoyed and was asked to train to be a coach myself; it’s definitely something I can imagine you will be successful at.

Oh how exciting Natasha, really look forward to hearing how everything pans out and you’re so right about being open to and embracing the things life throws your way – you never know where your path is leading you! x

Congratulations on two year of freelance life and so exciting about the coaching, you will be fantastic. I’m definitely the same when it comes to flow, making plans but still being open to where things take you, otherwise you can easily become frustrated or disheartened. X

Congratulations for working out what your next path will be. Isn’t that always the most difficult bit? Working out why something isn’t quite right, then finding out what is….
Love that light btw, it looks fab on that memo board!

I totally agree with this whole ethos. Yes, it’s nice to have an idea of where you want to go, but just like an actual journey, you need to factor in a bit of time and flexibility to explore the side roads along the way as you never know where they might take you.

This is so inspiring! Planning and setting goals, yet being open to opportunities we couldn’t have imagined – it’s a delicate balance, and I feel like I’ve been striving towards it for so long, and am just now starting to grasp it, after being on both ends of the spectrum (either getting lost in planning and setting goals, or not doing it at all). I think what gets to most of us is that, when we do settle on our goals and plans for action, we get so attached to them, and this is such a beautiful reminder to keep planning and doing, but also make some room for the unplanned. Thank you!

Thank you so much for your kind comment, Ana. ‘Make some room for the unplanned’ – I love that! When setting goals it’s definitely worth seeing what pops up along the way! I hope you’re having a great week.